Check weighing machine



s. R. HOWARD ETAL 2,590,704

CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE Marh 25, 1952 6 Sheets-Shea?l l Filed Dec. 12,194'? KENTOA 57271.19/ Z ward TTOR NE V `Mau'ch 25, 1952 s. R.HowARDErAL CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1947 EggSwim? March 25, 1952 s. R. HOWARD ETAL CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE 6v.Sheets-Shea?. 3

Filed Deo. \12, 194'?l .9i/ii:

March 25, 1952 s. R. HOWARD rs1-AL CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE s sheets-snaai4 Filed Deo. 12, 1947 March 25, 1952 S. R. HOWARD E'T' AL CHECK WEIGHINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. l2, 1947 March 25, 1952 s. R. HOWARDETAL 2,590,704

CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE Filed Dec. .12. 194'? v e sheets-Sheet e j@ IZ30o go 15o Patented Mar. 25, 1952 CHECK WEIGHING MACHINE Stanley R.Howard, Milton, and Robert W.

Vergobbi, Quincy, Mass., assignors to Pneumatic Scale Corporation,Limited, Quincy,

Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 12, 1947,Serial No. 791,399

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a packaging machine, and more particularly toa weighing machine.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and highly efficientmachine for determining the weight of loads and preferably packagescontaining partial loads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. novel packaging machinehaving provision for checking the weights of filled packages and forselectively separating those packages whose weights vary from apredetermined standard of weight'by more than an allowable tolerance.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved checkweighing apparatus adapted for use in checking the weights of filledpackages delivered from a package lling or weighing machine and forrejecting those packages whose weights exceed or fall below apredetermined maximum and minimum tolerance of the correct weight.l

With these objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear,the invention consists in the packaging machine, in the weighingapparatus, and in the various structures, arrangements and combinationsof parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims atthe end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention,Fig. 1 is a front' elevation of weighing apparatus embodying the presentinvention, portions thereof being broken away and shown in crosssection; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is plan view of the lower portion of the weighing apparatus asviewed from the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of aportion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail view of avariable counterweight mechanism embodied in the present apparatus, asviewed from the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a detail View of scalelocking mechanism embodied in the present apparatus as viewed from theleft in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower portion of a twoscale weighing machine embodying the present check weighing apparatus;Fig. 8 is a detail view of a one revolution clutch forming a part of thecontrol for the two scale weighing machine; Fig. 9 is a view as seenfrom the rear of Fig. 7 showing the drive for the check Weighingmechanism and the control mechanism for synchronizing the check weighingmechanism with the operation of the two scale weighing apparatus; Fig.10 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is adetail `view of a one revolution clutch comprising the driving'elementfor the check weighing apparatus; and Figs. 12 and 13 are details to bereferred to.

The invention in its broader aspects contemplates a weighing machine ofnovel construction, which may be used with advantage to determine theweight of a load or package in a simple, accurate and highly eflicientmanner. To this end the machine is provided with a movable scale beamupon which may be supported a load or a package comprising a containerpartially filled with a commodity. Provision is made for applying to thescale beam While overbalanced,

'and with the load or package supported thereon.

a gradually increasing force to eifect movement of the scale beam. Themachine is further provided with means responsive to the movement of thescale beam yfor terminating the application of the aforesaid forcewhereby the pointl at which the application of such force is terminatedmay be utilized to indicate the weight of the load or package.Preferably the machine is provided with means controlled by suchtermination for separating those packages thus determined to deviatebeylcnd definite limits from a predetermined weight. In practice theforce application may be effected in various ways, as by modifying theeffective counterweight, or by means of a spring, or equivalent meanscooperating with the one end of the scale beam, or, if foundadvantageous, variables may be applied to both ends of a scale beam toaccomplish this result.

In its preferred embodiment the present invention contemplates a novelcheck weighing vmechanism for checking the weight of filled packagesdelivered thereto from a filling or weighing machine and in whichprovision is made for rejecting those packages whose Weights vary beyonda xed tolerance over or under a predetermined correct weight. Thepresent check weighing mechanism may be incorporated as an integral partof a filling or weighing machine, or, may be used independently asaseparate unit, and in practice, those packages found to be within thepredetermined limits of, the correct weight are permitted to follow onepath along a conveyer to be delivered to other machines in the line forperforming subsequent operations on the packages, and those packagesfound to exceed or fall short of such predetermined maximum and minimumweight limits,4

u' are arranged to be diverted to another path from ,which the operatormay remove the rejected fpackages and empty the contents into the weigh-V ing machine hopper whereupon the empty packcarton thereon engaging afixed `stop 24.

ages mayI be again delivered to the weighing machine.

Referring now to the drawings, in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, the present check weighing apparatus, indicated generally atI0, is shown as attached to and forming a part of a two-scale Weighingmachine, indicated generally at I2, Fig. 7, of the type illustrated anddescribed in the United States Patent to Howard, No. 2,116,895 issuedMay 10, 1938.- In such prior weighing machines, the packages arearranged to be intermittently -moved in succession rst to a primary orbulk weighing station I4 to receive a partial load of the material, thenonto a vibratory platform or settling device I6, and then to a secondaryor `final weight station I8 where an additional amount of material isadded to complete the weighing operation.

As illustrated herein, `in operation, the empty cartons v20 are fed intolthevmachine by a constantly driven inlet conveyor 22, the foremost Apusher plate 26 is arranged to thereafter engage ,the rst carton on theinlet conveyor and to push it :into the path of a carrier arm 28, aplurality ofwhich lare attached in spaced relation to an intermittentlydriven Aendless. chain 30 arranged vto run over sprockets 32, 34disposed at either end of the machine and driven in timed relation tothe operation of the weighing mechanisms. As illustrated and describedin the Howard patent above referred to, the machine is arrangedto'operate in successive cycles comprising a package .moving cycleduring which the cartons are ad- `vanced to successive stations of theweighing filled packages are .arranged to be'delivered fromk theweighing machine directly onto the platform or escale pan 36 of thecheck weighing scale, the Illed `packagesbeing successively presentedtheretoby the vintermittently moved carrier arms 28.

.Upon subsequent movement of .the `carrier arms V28, the check weighedpackage is moved across a bridge plate 38 and onto a continuously moving.conveyer belt 40. In operation, if the package is ofa correct Weight orwithin the predetermined vtolerances as determined by the check weighingmechanism, the package may continue its vprogressalong the belt 40 to bedischarged from the machine,` or to be delivered to a subsequent machine`for closing the top yiaps lof the carton. .In the event that thepackage is found to deviate from rthe established tolerances over orunder the predetermined standard weight, provisionfis made for rocking arejecting gate 42 diagonally vacross the conveyer into/the path ofthepackage on the .conveyor 40 whereby to-divert the defective weight.package onto a secondrconveyer belt 44to dischargeA the rejectedpackages from the machine.

The inlet conveyer belt 22 and the discharge conveyer belts 40, 44 arepreferably arranged to be continuously driven through connections fromthe weighing machine I2 and, as herein shown, the weighing machine isprovided with a vertical @drive shaft having a bevel gear |02 at itslower end arranged to cooperate with a bevel vgear `|03 fast cnatransverse shaft |04. The

, shaft |04 is geared to a second shaft |06 by spur gears |08, ||0, thesecond shaft being connected by a chain and sprocket drive ||2 to theconveyer drive shaft ||4 on which the inlet conveyer pulley ||6 ismounted for driving the conveyer belt 22. The discharge belts 40, 42 maybe vsimilarly driven through chain and sprocket connections ||8, |20from the transverse shaft |06 to the conveyer shaft |22 on which adischarge pulley |24 is mounted for driving the correct weight dischargebelt 40, and, a chain and sprocket drive |26 connecting the shaft |22 tothe conveyer shaft |28 on which a pulley |30 is mounted for driving thedischarge belt 44 for 'the `rejected packages.

Referring now particularly to Fig. l, the present check weighingapparatus comprises a scale beam 46 having the scale pan 36 supported atone end thereof, an adjustable counterweight 48 supported at the otherend, and a variable counterweight comprising a pair of chains 50, 52suspended ,from` the counterweight end ofthe scale beam, the other endsof the chains being arranged to be raised during the check weighingoperation vto gradually and progressively reduce the effectivecounterweight. As herein shown, the check scale beamV 46 is supported onknife edge bearings .54- in a bracket 56 attached to the machine frame.The scale pan 36 is attached to the upper end of a vertical rod 58`which, is provided at yits vlower end with a transverse lbar 60arranged to rest `on knife edge bearings 62 carried by the scale beam46. A parallel link .64 .connected .between the machine frame and thescale .pan serves to support the latter for verticalmovement.

Provision is preferably made for locking the scale pan 36 substantiallyin alignment with .the package supporting rails 66 of the weighingmachine during the package moving cycle of operation` to .preventdisplacement of the scale Abeam 46` during the transfer of `a filledpackage `onto the scale pan. As herein shown, the scale .pan is limitedin` its upward movement by laterally extended portion 68 -of anglepieces 10 `attached to either end of a rod 'I2 carried bya bracket 'I4attached to the .machine frame, the extended portions 68 being Varrangedto `engage the upper surfaces of the transverse bar 60. A coopera-tingcam operated arm 'I6 is arranged to engage lan extended 'end 18, Fig. 6,of thesupporting v`rod 58 `depending from the underside of thetransverse bar .60 .to maintain the scale `pan in its upraised 4positionduring the package moving cycle. The scale pan locking arm 76 is xedto ashaft 80 ,mounted in .the Vbracket 14 and is arranged to-be rocked intoand out of locking position byea .cam 82 fast ona cam shaft 84 'andthroughconnec'tions includinga cam roll 86 cooperating with the cam andcarried by one arm 88 of a two-armed lever pivotally mountedvona rocker,shaft90. Thesecond arm 92 of the twoarmed lever `is connected by a link04 to an arm 96 fast on .the pivot shaft 80. A spring 98 connected tothe arm.9.2 .is arranged `to urge the linkage into locking position when.permitted to do so by `the..cam.82.

,As illustrated in Fig. 7, the cam shaft 84 is arranged to be .drivenfrom and in timed relation 'to the Weighing machine I2 throughconnections from thetransverseshaft |06 including a pinion k|32 fast onthe end of shaft land a cooperating gear |34 mounted on a lower shaft|36, (Fig. 10) the gear |34 forming the driving member of a onerevolution clutch, A.indicated generally at |33, for synchronizing theoperation of the check weighing mechanism with the weighing machine, aswill be hereinafter more fully described. A sprocket |31 also mounted onthe shaft |36 and arranged to rotate with the driven member of the onerevolution clutch |33 is connected by a chain and sprocket drive |38 tothe cam shaft 84.

From the description thus far it will be seen that in operation, afilled package is deposited upon the check Weighing scale at the end ofthe package moving cycle of operation whereupon the locking arm 16 isrocked to unlock the scale and to permit the scale beam to take theweight of the scale pan and the filled package resting thereon. Inpractice, the counterweights including the adjustable counterweight 48and the variable counterweight chains 50, 52 are initially adjusted andarranged to overbalance a package approximating the predeterminedcorrect weight, the counterweight end of the scale beam normally bearingagainst the upper end of a stop rod |40 extending from and operativelyconnected to a kdash pot |42.

Provision is now made for gradually lifting the lower ends of the chains50, 52 to reduce the effective counterweight until the scale balances.As shown in detail in Fig. 5, the upper ends of the chains are suspendedfrom the ends of a transverse rod |44 connected medially of its lengthto the scale beam 46 by an upstanding threaded portion |46. The lowerends of the chains are looped upwardly and hooked over opposite ends ofa pin |48 carried by the end of a cam operated counterweight reducinglever |50. The lever |50 is fast on the rocker shaft 90 and froms partof a three-armed lever including an arm |52 carrying a roller |54 forcooperation with a cam |56 fast on the cam shaft 64, and an arm |58connected to a spring |60 arranged to rockingly urge the counterweightreducing lever |50 upwardly when permitted to do so by the cam |56.During the check weighing operation the counterweight reducing lever |50is gradually rocked upwardly to progressively relieve the scale beam ofa portion of the weight of the variable counterweight chains 50, 52, andwhen the weight of the package being check weighed overbalances thecounterweights, the

counterweight end of the scale beam is rocked upwardly.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made forterminating the upward rocking movement of the counterweight reducinglever |50 immediately upon balancing of the scale beam 46 as effected bythe reduction of the effective counterweight and, as herein shown,termination of the upward rocking movement of the lever is arranged tobe controlled by the scale beam by the provision of a solenoid operatedpawl |62 arranged to be actuated upon closing of a switch |64 when thescale beam balances, and, a ratchet segment |66 carried by the lever |50and arranged to be engaged by the pawl |62 when the solenoid isenergized. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the switch |64 is mounted on abracket |68 attached to the machine frame and is arranged to be closedby the engagement of an angle piece attached to the end of the scalebeam. As better shown in Fig. 3, the pawl |62 is keyed to the end of arocker shaft |12 journaled in a bracket |13 attached to the underside ofthe machine framey and, an arm |14 clamped to the other end of the shaftis connected by a link |16 to the armature |18 of the solenoid |80. Thearm |14 is arranged to bear against an adjustable stop screw |15 carriedby the bracket |13 for adjusting the position of the pawl |62 relativeto the ratchet segment |66. The ratchet segment is formed on the outerend of an arm |82 ntted on the rocker shaft 90 and secured to be movablewith the lever |50 by bolts |84.

With this construction it will be seen that the arcuate movement of thecounterweight reducing lever |50 is directly proportional to andindicative of the weight of the package being check weighed so that inpractice the lever will be stopped in substantially the same positionherein termed an intermediate position, for each correct weight package,and will be stopped above or below such intermediate position for eachover or underweight package respectively. For example, if the package isoverweight, only a small amount of counterweight reduction is required,the scale will balance prematurely, and the lever will be stopped duringits initial movement or after it has passed through a relatively smallarc. Should the package be underweight, more counterweight reduction isrequired so that the lever will travel through a relatively wide arcbefore the scale balances to effect termination of the upward rockingmovement of the lever.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for rejectingthose packages found to be over or under the established correct -weighttolerances as determined by the position at which the counterweightreducing lever |50 is stopped upon balancing of the scale beam, and, forrendering the rejecting mechanism inoperative when the package beingcheck weighed is found to be within the predetermined tolerances. Asherein shown, the rejecting mechanism comprises a cam operated linkage,indicated generally at |85 which is normally maintained in aninoperative position by a latch arm |86 and arranged to be released whena defective package is detected to effect rocking of a vertical shaft|88 upon which the rejecting gate 42 is mounted. The rejecting mechanismlinkage |84 includes a cam lever |90 pivotally mounted on. the rockershaft 90 and having a cam roller |92 mounted between the ends of thelever for cooperation with a cam |94 fast on the cam shaft 84. The outerend of the cam lever |90 is connected by a link |96 to an arm |98 faston the lower end orf the vertical shaft |88. A second arm 200 formedintegrally with the cam lever |90 is connected by a spring 202 arrangedto urge the linkage |85 in a direction to rock the rejecting gate 42 toa diverting position when permitted to do so by the cam |94 and byrelease of the latch member |86.

As herein shown, the arm 200 is provided with an extension 204 having anotch 206 for cooperation with the end 208 of the latch arm |86. Thelatch arm |86 is pivotally mounted at 2|0 in a bracket 2|2 attached tothe machine frame, and, a spring 2|4 connected to ta second arm 2| 6 ofthe latch member is arranged to urge |the latch in a clockwise directioninto engagement with the notch 206 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the mechanism for releasing the latch arm |86to effect diversion of a defective package onto the rejecting conveyer44 comprises a cam operated feeler `arm 220 pivotally mounted at 222 andconnected to the latch arm |86 by a link 224. The arm 220 is providedwith a cam roll 226 for cooperation with a cam 228 fast on the cam shaft84, and, a spring 230 is arrest, the arm 220 is permitted to be rockedclockwise to release the latch When a defective weight package isdetected by the provision of a low spot or cut-out portion 232 of thecam.

The feeler arm 22|! is arranged to cooperate with the counterweiglitreducing lever to prevent release of the latch member |86 when thepackage is found to be of a weight Awithin the predetermined tolerances,and, as herein shown, the

feeler arm 220 is provided with a stop member 234 adjustably mounted ina slotted portion 236 of the arm. The stop member 234 is arranged toengage an abutment 238 carried by the counterweight reducing lever |50when the latter is brought to rest in an intermediate position,indicating Ithat the weight of the package is Within the predeterminedtolerance. The abutment 238 comprises an extended portion of a platemember 240 secured to the lever |50 by the bolts |84.

Since the extent of arcuate movement of the lever |50, or the rockershaft 90 to Iwhich the lever is fixed is related to and indicative ofthe weight of the package being check weighed, the rocker shaft 90 maybe provided with a dial arm or pointer 242 fixed thereto and arranged tocooperate with a graduated arcuate dial 244, as illustrated in Fig. 1.The dial 244 may and preferably will be disposed in a convenienltposition above the supporting bracket 246 of the check weighingmechanism to enable the operator to vnote the condition of the packagebeing check weighed and determine whether successive pack- `ages arerunning yover or under weight so that he may make the necessaryadjustments on the weighing machine.

From the above description it will be seen that in the operation of themachine when a package having substantially the correct Iweight isplaced on the scale pan and the scale is unlocked, the counterweighltreducing lever |50 is rocked upwardly by the spring |65 as permitted bythe cam |56 to reduce the effective counterweight until the scale isbalanced whereupon the solenoid operated pawl |62 is actuated to engagethe ratchet segment |66 and bring the lever |50 to rest. When the checkweighing operation is completed the-low spot 232 of the cam 228 hasarrived in a position confronting the roller 226 to permit the feelerarm 220 to be rocked to the left by the spring 230, and, if the packageis found to be of substantially the correct weight the movement of thefeeler arm 220 will be interrupted by engagement of the stop lug 234with the abutment 238 to prevent release of the latch |86 :and thepackage will be permitted to continue along the correc't weight packagebelt 40. However, in the event that the lever is stopped to present theabutment 230 above or below the stop lug 234, indicating that thepackage is under or over weight, the -feeler arm 220 is permitted torock to the left and correspondingly move the link 224 to the left torelease the latch mechanism |86 and effect diversion of the defectiveweight package onto the rejecting conveyor belt 44 as describedhereinbefore. At the time that the low spot 232 of the cam 228 isopposite the roller 226 on the feeler arm 220, the roller |54 on thealim |52 of the counterweight reducing lever |50 is engaged with a lowportion of the cam |56 which decreases in radius as the cam |56 rotatescounterclockwise. Once the pawl |62 has engaged with the segment |66,the spring |50 is ineffective to cause further rocking olf the lever |50even though the contour of the cam |56 Iwould otherwise permit suchmovement. Furthermore, after the check weighed package has been movedoff the scale pan 3G, counterweight 48 will rock the beam 46 and returnthe angle piece |10 to its initial position in engagement with the stoprod 40. Such movement of the scale beam will permit the switch |64 toopen and deenergize the solenoid to effect disengagement of the pawl |62from the segment |66 to free the lever |50 vfor the next check weighingoperation.

As above stated, pro vision is made for synchronizing the operation ofthe check weighing apparatus with the two scale Weighing machine throughthe provision of a one revolution pawl and ratchet clutch |33, Fig. 11,forming a part of the driving mechanism to the check weighing cam shaf t84. As fully illustrated and described in the Howard Patent No.2,116,895 above referred to, the weighing machine is arranged to beoperated in successive cycles comprising a weighing cycle and a package.moving cycle through the provision of a one revolution clutch, indicatedgenerally herein at |39, Figs. '7 and 8, controlled by the weighingscales in a manner such as to prevent initiation of the package movingcycle by means of pawl stops 25|, 253, until the scales have completedtheir Weights. The one revolution clutch |35 is arranged to drive thecarrier chain 30 through connections including the bevel gears |4|, |45.Provision is also made for driving a control shaft |45 during thepackage moving cycle through connections including a gear train |41. Thecontrol shaft |45 is arranged to operate a resetting bar |49, Figs. l, 9and 1G at the end of the package moving cycle through connectionsincluding a cam |5| fast on the shaft |45 and a cooperating roller |58carried by an arm |55 fast on a pin |51. A second arm |59 also fast onthe pin |51 is connected at its lower end to the resetting bar |40.Thus, in the operation of the machine, the resetting bar is moved to theleft, viewing Fig. '1, to resetkthe scales and associated mechanisms, atthe end of the package moving cycle of operation, as more fullydescribed in the Howard Patent No. 2,116,895.

Accordingly, provision is made for controlling the one revolution clutch|33 for the check weighing drive by the movement oi the resetting bar atthe end of the package moving cycle so as to start the check weighingoperation immediately after a weighed package has been transferred ontothe check weighing scale pan 36. As herein shown, the driving element|34 for the one revoiution pawl and ratchet clutch |33 is looselymounted on the shaft |36 and is provided With a ratchet |6| formedintegrally therewith. A carrier disc |63 comprising the driven member ofthe clutch is keyed to the shaft |36 and is provided with aspring-pressed pawl |55 for c0- operation with the ratchet |6|. rIhedriving sprocket |31 is also keyed to the shaft |36.

As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, a pawl stop |61 is normally arranged inthe path of the pawl |65 to effect disengagement thereof from itsratchet |6. The pawl stop |61 is carried by an arm |60 fast on the lowerend of a vertical shaft |1|. The upper endv of the vertical shaft |1| isprovided with an arm |11 also fast thereon and connetced by a link |19to an arm |8| fast on a vertical shaft |83 supported in a bracket |85.The arm |8| is formed integrally with an extension |87 normally urged ina clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 7, by a spring |89 and arranged tobe engaged by an adjustable pin |9| clamped to the resetting bar |49.Thus, at the end of the package moving cycle of operation when theresetting bar |49 is moved to effect rocking of the linkage described,the pawl stop arm |69 is rocked out of the path of the pawl |65 topermit it to engage the ratchet |SI, the pawl stop being subsequentlyreturned into the path of the pawl by the spring |89 to disengage thepawl and to bring the driven member to rest at the end of onerevolution.

A second ratchet |93 carried by the gear |34, and opposed to the ratchet|6| is arranged to cooperate with a second spring-pressed pawl |95 toprevent the driven member or pawl carrier disc |63 from rotating orcoasting ahead of the driv ing gear |34 during operative engagement ofthe clutch to thus eiect a positive driving connection. A roller |91carried by an arm |99 fast on a rocker shaft 26| is arranged tocooperate with a cut-out portion 263 of the pawl carrier disc |63 tobring the driven member to rest in a predetermined position at the endof each cycle, and, the tail of the pawl |95 is arranged to besimultaneously engaged by the roller |97 to eiect disengagement of thepawl from its ratchet |93.

Provision is further made in the illustrated embodiment of the inventionfor preventing initiation of the package moving cycle of operation untilthe check weighing apparatus has completed its cycle, that is, when thedriven member |63 of the clutch has completed its one revolution andcome to rest. This is accomplished by the provision of an additionalpawl stop 205 (Fig. 9) for the one revolution clutch |39 arranged to becontrolled through connections from the one revolution clutch |33 in amanner such as to effect withdrawal of the pawl stop 295 when the drivenmember |63 comes to rest. As herein shown, the rocker shaft 20| isprovided with a second arm '261 fast thereon connected to the pawl stop265 through linkage including a rod 209 connected to an arm 2|| fast ona rocker shaft 2|3 journaled in a bracket 2|5. An arm 2|'| also fast onthe shaft 2|3 is connected by a link 2|9 to a bell-crank 22| pivotallymounted at 223. The second arm of the bell-crank is connected by ayieldable link 225 to the pivotaliy mouthed paw'l stop 265. A spring22'! connected to the arm 29? is arranged to urge the roller I9? on thearm |69 into engagement with the pawl carrier disc |63, the disc beingarranged to hold the linkage in a position to maintain the onerevolution clutch |99 disengaged until the disc |63 comes to restwhereupon the roller |91 will fall into the cut-out 203 thus effectingrocking of the linkage and withdrawal of the pavll stop 295 at the endof the check weighing cycle of operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be Observed that in its variousembodiments the invention contemplates a novel Weighing machine whereina gradually varying force is applied to a scale beam initially arrangedto assume one position with the load or package supported thereon, so asto eiect movement of the beam. The machine is provided with meanscontrolled by such movement of the scale beam for terminating theapplication of such force whereby the point at which the application ofsuch force is I'Ir su 10 terminated as determined by the position of anelement of the means for effecting the termination may be utilized todetermine the weight of the load or package. As above pointed out, thescale beam may be subjected to gradually increasing Or decreasing forcesproduced in various Ways applied to one or both ends of the beam and inthe preferred embodiment of the invention the permitted tolerances aredetermined by the position of a part of the mechanism employed interminating the application of the force, and the package separation isarranged to be controlled thereby. The invention finds particular use asa check weighing apparatus for separating out those packages found tovary from a predetermined weight by more than per-v mitted tolerances.

As above pointed out the mechanism for applying a gradually increasingforce to the scale beam to effect its movement from an initialoverbalanced position, in which the load or package to be weighed issupported thereon, in addition to a means for reducing the effectivecounterweight, may include suitable means for applying a force to eitherend of the scale beam,

and also suitable means for applying variable forces to both ends of thescale beam for accomplishing this result. As shown in detail in Fig. 12,the counterweight end of the scale beam 46 may be connected by a spring30|) to the counterweight reducing lever |56, and as shown in'Fig. 13the counterweight reducing lever |56 may be extended beyond its pivotand a spring 39| arranged to connect the extended end to the packagesupporting end of the scale beam to increase the force on the scale beamto overcomeA the effect of the counterweight 48. In both instances thesprings 300, 30| serve instead of the exible chain 52 to accomplish thedesired re sult. l

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been hereinillustrated and described it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. Weighing mechanism comprising in combination, a scale beam,counterweight means for said scale beam sufcient to initiallyoverbalance a package approximating a predetermined weight,independently movable means for applying a gradually increasing force toovercome the overbalance of the counterweight means to thereby effectmovement of the scale beam to a balanced position, means responsive tothe movement of the scale beam to said balanced position to eiecttermination of the movement of said force applying means, and packagerejecting means controlled in accordance with the position occupied bysaid force applying means at the time its movement is terminated foreffecting rejection of a package found to deviate beyond definite limitsfrom said predetermined Weight.

2. Weighing mechanism comprising, in combination, a scale beam, acounterweight for said scale beam initially suicient to overbalance apackage approximating a predetermined weight, independently movablemeans for reducing the eiective counterweight to eiect movement of thescale beam to balanced position, means responsive to the movement of thescale beam to said balanced position for terminating the operation ofsaid counterweight reducing means,'package il rejecting'means, andcontrol means arranged to cooperate with said counterweight reducingmeans in the position in which its movement has been terminated forrendering the package rejecting means inoperative when the check weighedpackage is found to be Within definite limits of said predeterminedweight and for permitting operation of said rejectingmeans when theweighed package is found to deviate beyond said limits.

3. Weighing mechanism comprising, in coinbination, a scale beam, avariable counterweight for said scale beam comprising a flexible membersuspended-from the counterweight end of the scale beam andinitially'suificient to overbalance va package approximating apredetermined weight placed on the weighing end of the scale beam,independently movable means for gradually and progressively reducing theeffective counterweight during the weighing operation to effect movementof the scale beam to balanced position and including means for raisingthe suspended end of said ilexible member, means responsive to themovement of the scale beam to balanced position to eifect termination ofmovement of said counterweight reducing means, and package rejectingmeans cooperable with said counterweight reducing means and controlledin its operaation in accordance with the position occupied by saidcounterweight reducing means at the time that its movement isterminated, for effecting rejection of a package found to deviate beyondpredetermined limits from said predetermined weight.

4. Weighing mechanism comprising, in combination, a scale beam, avariable counterweight for said scale beam comprising a' flexible membersuspended from the counterweight end or the scale beam and initiallysuficient to overbalance a package approximating a predetermined weightplaced on the weighing end of theY scale beam, means including a movablemember arranged to gradually and progressively lift the suspended end ofthe iexible counter- Weight for reducing the effective counterweightduring the check weighing operation and to effect movement of the scalebeam, means responsive tov the movement of the scale beam adapted toeffect termination of movement of said counterweight reducing member,the movement of the counterweight reducing means being related to thereduction in eective counterweightfwhereby the position of terminationof movement of said member is indicative of the weight' of the packagebeing check weighed, termination of movement of said member in anintermediate position being indicativev of a packagev having a weightwithin allowable tolerances ofi said predetermined weight, and packagerejectingmeans including a control means arranged to cooperate with saidcounterweight reducing member in its terminated position for effectingrejection of a package when the lcounterweigl'it reducing member isterminated in a position above or below said intermediate position.

5. Weighing mechanism comprising, in combination, a scale beam, acounterweight ccmprising a iiexible member' suspended from the scalebeam and initially arranged to overbalance a package approximating apredetermined weight, counterweight reducing means includingV a camoperated lever operatively connected to the suspended end of saidflexible counterweight and Aarranged 'to gradually and progressivelyraise the suspendedv end during theweighingoperation to eifect balancingof, the scale beam, a ratchet segment carriedby said lever, meansincluding a solenoid operated pawl responsive to the movement of thescalebeam and engageable with said ratchet segment to effect terminationofv said counterweight reducing means when. the scale has balanced, andpackage rejecting means controlled by the position of termination ofsaid counterweight reducing means for; eifecting rejection of a packagefound to deviate from said predetermined weight by more than a definiteamount.

6. Weighing mechanism comprising, in combination, a scale beam, avariable counterweight initially arranged to overbalance apackageapproximating a predetermined weight, means for reducing the effectivecounterweight to effect movement of the scale beam, means responsive tothe movement of the scale beam adapted to effect termination of saidcounterweight reducing means, package rejecting means, and control meansincluding a latch normally arranged in locking engagement with saidrejecting` means, and a detecting arm operatively connected to the latchand arranged to cooperate with said counterweight reducing means in itsposition of termination to permit release of said latch and operation ofsaid rejecting mechanism when a package is found to deviate by more thanallowable tolerances from said predetermined weight.

7. Weighing mechanism comprising, in combination, a scale beam, aflexible counterweight suspended from said scale beam and initiallyarranged to overbalance a package approximating a predetermined weight,counterweight reducing means including means operatively connected tothe suspended end of said flexiblev counterweight arranged to graduallyand progressively lift the suspended end of said flexible counterweightduring the weighing operation to eifect movement of the scale beam,means responsive to the movement of the scale beam adapted to eifecttermination of said lifting movement when the scale has moved, packagerejecting means, and control means including a latch normally arrangedin locking engagement with said rejecting means, and a detecting armoperatively connected to the latch and arranged to cooperate with saidcounterweight reducing means in its position of termination to permitrelease of said latch and operation of the rejecting mechanism when apackage is found to deviate by more than allowable tolerances from saidpredetermined weight.

S. In a packaging machine, in combination, check weighing mechanismcomprising a scale, a flexible counterweight suspended at one end fromsaid scale initially arranged to overbalance a package approximating apredetermined weight, movable counterweight reducing means includingmeans operatively connected to the suspended end of the ilexiblecounterweight arranged to gradually move and reduce the effectivecounterweight to effect balancing of the scale beam, package rejectingmeans for rejecting over and under-weight packages, and control meansincluding a member arranged to detect the position of said counterweightreducing means at the time that the scale beam moves to balancedposition to render said package rejecting means operative or inoperativein accordance with the Weight of the package as indicated by theposition lof said counterweight,

. 13 reducing means when the scale beam reaches balanced position.

9.1m a packaging machine, in combination, check Weighing mechanismcomprising a scale, a counterweight for said scale initially arranged tooverbalance a package approyimating a predetermined Weight, movablemeans for applying a gradually increasing force to the scale beam toeffect movement of the scale beam to a balanced position, packagerejecting means for rejecting over and under-Weight packages, controlmeans including a detecting member arranged to cooperate with said forceapplying means when said scale beam is balanced for rendering saidrejectingr means operative or inoperative in accordance with the weightof the package as indicated by the position occupied by the forceapplying means at the time that the scale beam is moved to balancedposition, and package moving means for intermittently transferringsuccessive packages onto the Weighing scale operable in timed relationto the operation o said check weighing mechanism.

10. In a packaging machine, in combination, check Weighing mechanismcomprising a scale, a flexible counterv/eight suspended from said scaleinitially arranged to overbalance a package approximating apredetermined Weight, countervveight reducing means including meansoperatively connected to the suspended end of the flexiblecounteriveight arranged to gradually reduce the effective counterveightto effect movement of the scale beam, package rejecting means, controlmeans arranged to cooperate with said counterweight reducing means forrendering said rejecting means operative or inoperative in accordancewith the checked weight of the package as indicated by the position oftermination of said counterweight reducing means, package moving meansfor intermittently transferring successive packages onto the checkWeighing scale, and scale locking mechanism for maintaining the scalestationary during the package transfer operation.

ll. In a packaging machine, in combination, check weighing mechanismcomprising a scale, counterweighted to initially overbalance a packagesupported thereon approximating a predetermined Weight, movable meansfor applying a gradually increasing force to eiiect movement of thescale beam to balanced position, package rejecting means operative toreject over and under-Weight packages, control means for rendering saidrejecting means operative or inoperative in accordance with the checkedweight of a package as indicated by the position of said movable meanswhen said beam is in balanced position, package moving means forintermittently transferring successive packages onto the scale and scalelocking means for maintaining the scale beam stationary during suchtransfer.

12. In a packaging machine operative in successive cycles including aweighing cycle and a package moving cycle, in combination, checkWeighing mechanism comprising a scale beam, a counterweight for saidscale beam initially arranged to overbalance a package approximatingpredetermined Weight, movable means for applying a gradually increasingforce to eiect movement of the scale beam, means responsive to themovement of the scale beam balanced position to effect termination ofthe movement of said force applying means, package rejecting meanscontrolled in its rejecting operation by the final position of saidforce applying means for eiecting rejecting of a package found todeviate substantially from said predetermined Weight, and control meansoperatively connected to the packaging machine for preventing initiationor" the check Weighing operation until the packaging machine hascompleted its package moving cycle of operation.

13. In a package machine operative in successive cycles including aWeighing cycle and a package moving cycle, in combination, checkweighing mechanism comprising a scale beam, variable counterweight iorsaid scale beam initially arranged to overbalance a packageapproximating a predetermined Weight, movable means for graduallyreducing the effective counterweight to eiect movement of the scale beamto balanced position, means responsive to the movement of the scale beamto balanced position to eiect termination of movement of saidcountervveight reducing means, package rejecting means controlled in itsrejecting operation by the nal position oi said counterweight reducingmeans for eiecting rejection of a package found to deviate by more thanallowable tolerances from said predetermined weight, and control meansoperatively connected to said check weighing mechanism for preventinginitiation of the package moving cycle of operation of the packagingmachine until the check Weighing mechanism has completed its cycle ofoperation.

14. Weighing mechanism comprising in combination, a scale beam,countervveight means for said scale beam suiiicient to intitiallyoverbalance a package approximating a predetermined weight, meansoperable to apply a gradually varying force eiective on said scale beamto overcome the overbalance of said countervveight means and therebyallow movement of said scale beam to a balanced position, saidlast-mentioned means including a member movable in proportion to theamount of force required to overcome the overbalance of saidcounterweight means for the weight of the particular package beingweighed, means actuated in response to the movement of said scale beamto balanced position for terminating movement of said movable member inthe position thereof corresponding to the balanced position of saidscale beam, package rejecting means operative to reject over andunder-weight packages, and control means cooperable with said movablemember and actuatable to render said package rejecting means operativeor inoperative in accordance with the weight of the package as indicatedby the position of said movable member at the time its movement wasterminated..

STANLEY R. HOWARD. ROBERT W'. VERGOBBI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,729,320 Anderson Sept. 24, 19292,966,763 Bryce Jan. 5, 1937 2,116,895 Howard May 10, 1938 2,112,823Breuiln Apr. 5, 1938

